Adding To History

It's been more than a decade since Belpre's Historical Museum opened, on a street adjacent to Washington Boulevard.And while one of its signature exhibits has been the local history of the Underground Railroad, it continues to acquire exhibits from the distant and not-so-distant past.

"The pride and joy we have is the 1840's carriage which has been restored," says Nancy Sams, President, Belpre Historical Society. "It's not a reproduction, it's an actual carriage. Last year, we were fortunate enough to get an 1885 horse-drawn sleigh which was given to us."

Some more recent items range from things from the old Gustke Variety Store, Belpre Pharmacy and city police department, to an exhibit on typewriters.

Aand people who have never been, or haven't recently visited, the museum, are amazed by what they see.

"It's amazing how much we have," Sams says, "and we have such a variety that anyone who comes in can find something they haven't seen, or would like to know more about, and they really enjoy the variety that we have."

The museum Thursday broke ground for a new building that will house many of those additional artifacts. While it won't be connected to the current structure, it will be on land adjacent to it. depending on how quickly construction begins, it could be completed by the end of the year.

The museum will be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1-4 P.M. until October, and other times by appointment.

There's more about the historical society and the museum project by clicking on the "Hot Button" on our home page.

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